Monday Morning Horn – April 8th, 2013

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The Texas football and baseball programs saw some real highs and gut-wrenching lows this week.

The football team had a player run ‘or drive’ into trouble with the law, then grabbed a highly-sought out-of-state prospect in less than 24 hours.

The baseball team dropped a Red River Rivalry series for the first time in 15 years. And almost garnered a no-hitter in the process.

Last weekend, the Texas program received verbal commitments from four prospects, Terrell Cuney and Trey Lealaimatafao of the 2014 class, while Bryce English and Jalen Campbell landed from the 2015 group. The recruiting momentum was evident and real after the Spring game.

On Sunday afternoon, that propulsion continued.

St. Augustine (New Orleans, LA) defensive tackle, Courtney Garnett pledged his allegiance to the Longhorn program. The 4-star lineman is part of a very talented group of players that attend the prestigious high school inside of the crescent city.

And he’s a wanted man. Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Mississippi State are among the offers the 6-foot-2 280 pound DL boasts. After seeing Ole Miss and Starkville, his mind was made.

“I think it is just a great fit. I think it’s going to be a great fit for me and my family,” Garnett said. “I have some family in Austin there already. It’s going to be great for me to go out there and take my talents to Texas and be coached by (Defensive-tackles coach Bo Davis).” (Quotes from Max Olson)

It’s also worth noting he’s the second DT the Horns have snatched after striking out on the position with the 2013 class. The momentum continues….

Texas sophomore wide receiver, Kendall Sanders was arrested early Sunday morning on a DUI charge in Brazos County. He’s the second UT player to be arrested this spring, as another sophomore wide-out, Cayleb Jones was charged with aggravated assault after hitting former UT tennis player, James Swaysland, over a dispute with an ex-girlfriend.

What’s unique about these two in particular is that they’re both vying for the No.3 spot on the depth chart at WR. Both have had good spring practices, and both were looking to the next step towards contributing in 2013. Sanders even caught a 24-yard touchdown during the Spring Game last week. Now, who knows. Every major program experiences this. But, it gets old. Especially with the expectations for 2013 at a high unseen since 2009.

Also, the class of 2014 signal-calling commit, Jerrod Heard of Denton Guyer, attended the regional Elite 11 quarterback camp on Saturday in Dallas. While he looked sharp, no invites to the big (Elite 11 select in California) camp were handed out on this day. Proof the ’14 group doesn’t have a game-changer at QB, but it’s deep with talented potential.

On the diamond, the Longhorns hosted rival OU this weekend at the Disch. The No. 13 Sooners came to Austin, and took 2-of-3 from the Horns. All three games were exciting, down-to-wire matchups, but ultimately OU had the timely hitting to take the series. A few thoughts after UT dropped its third consecutive Big-12 series:

A) OU’s Jonathan Gray is good. Real good. Like, 98 MPH good. The senior hurler has the chance to be the first player chosen the June MLB amateur draft. The Houston Astros, who hold the first selection, have attended a number of Gray’s starts.